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Green Mountain Reservoir: Capacity = 140,000 acre-feet, 2002 Storage = 40,000 acre-feet - William E. Green)
Water Availability Task Force
Colorado drought planning has been developed through the preparation and implementation of the Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan. The plan consists of four components: monitoring, assessment, mitigation, and response. Monitoring is ongoing and accomplished, at a minimum, by quarterly meetings of the Water Availability Task Force (WATF). Meetings are occasionally held in conjunction with the Colorado Flood Task Force. The WATF is comprised of Colorado’s water supply specialists, emergency management professionals, federal land managers, scientists, and experts in climatology and weather forecasting.
 
Members of the WATF include:

 
U.S. Drought MonitorThroughout the water year (October through September) the WATF monitors snowpack, precipitation, reservoir storage, streamflow, and temperatures, and provides a forum for synthesizing and interpreting water availability information. Task force members meet quarterly or monthly to share information.


 
When the WATF determines drought conditions are reaching significant levels, the Governor’s staff and cabinet notifies the Governor and recommends activation of the Colorado Drought Mitigation & Response Plan. When the Plan is activated, the first step is impact assessment. Assessment begins with activation of the relevant Impact Task Forces (ITFs). These task forces convene to determine the impacts of a drought within specific sectors that affect the environment and the economy. They utilize a broad range of information sources to gather and evaluate data when the impact of drought is beyond local capabilities to cope with it.
Data Sources Utilized by WATF:

  • Monthly Water Supply Report
  • Monthly Climate Report
  • Historical NormsWeather Forecasts
  • Reservoir Levels
  • Stream Flow Data
  • Rain Gauge Sites
  • Snow Course Sites
  • Monthly Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)
  • Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI)
  • Modified Palmer Drought Index
 
Tasks for all Impact Task Forces are to identify the drought related problems, and to define and assess societal impacts, severity, loss and costs; evaluate state and local capacity for response: determine residual needs, report findings and action plans.

Impact Task Forces (ITFs):
  • Municipal Water – Assesses municipal impact.
  • Wildfire Protection – Assesses wildfire risk.
  • Agricultural Industry – Assesses soil erosion, crop/livestock loss, and insect/pest issues.
  • Tourism – Assesses the impact of drought upon tourism.
  • Wildlife – Assesses the impacts of drought upon wildlife (fish, game & non-game).
  • Economic – Assesses impact of drought on economy.
  • Health – Assesses impact of drought on health & human services.
  • Review & Reporting – Reviews all task force assessments & recommends overall drought response.
 The impact assessment information coordination is assigned to the Review and Reporting Task Force, which includes chairpersons of the WATF and the Impact Task Forces, the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). This task force assesses the drought projections, evaluates overall conditions, develops recommendations for drought response and makes timely reports to leadership, the media, and the response agencies in times of serious drought conditions.